Past News
Past News
Developing Knowledge Transfer Partnerships Report 2010
First North East Regional Early Years Professional Status Conference; a day to remember
On Saturday 4th July 2009, over 150 delegates made their way to Northumbria University's new City Campus East for the first North East Regional Early Years Professional Status (EYPS) conference. For more information click here.
EARLY CHILDHOOD UNIT BULLETIN
Welcome to the 29th January 2009 edition of the fortnightly Early Childhood Unit (ECU) Bulletin for the Early Childhood Forum.
Early Childhood Bulletin Jan 09
ICT for early years learning - designed with young children in mind?
November 2008
Digital technologies designed for early years' teaching and learning do not recognise the specific needs of young children. These are the findings of the 'Perspectives on Early Years and Digital Technologies' report from education innovator Futurelab.
The report, based on research from Futurelab's PhD studentship network, coincides with the introduction of the government's Early Years Foundation Stage this autumn which aims to provide, as Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families Ed Balls puts it "a level playing field so all children start school with an equal chance of doing well". In order to successfully support early years learning both in school and at home, the report investigates the role of digital technologies and considers the wider issues which should be considered in their design.
Through examining proven early years education practice, such as learning with books and other physical learning materials from coloured cubes to alphabet letters, the report argues that early years learning is linked to shared physical and social interactions between young children and adults. However, digital technologies designed for the early years are currently aimed at supporting 'personalised' individual interactions with technology and are often using equipment designed for adults such as the keyboard or PC.
Rosamund Sutherland, Professor of Education at the University of Bristol and contributor to the report, commented: "In this report, we are drawing attention to the important ways in which young children learn. They like to interact with others through playing and sharing. Designers of digital technologies for early years need to support this and leave room for children to construct their own ideas and use their imagination without having to be led by tutorials for example. Learning for the early years is unique, young children are not scaled-down adults - they have specific requirements for digital technologies."
The report can be downloaded free of charge from http://www.futurelab.org.uk/resources/publications-reports-articles/opening-education-reports/
In the National Guardian `Life and Style' section there is a section on Cooking for Kids which provides tips such as:
- Information on a filling breakfast
- Good fast food
- A proper dinner
- Lovely pudding
See http://www.guardian.co.uk/cookingforkids
Other interesting in-house activities include a `Child Protection' seminar arranged to promote multi agency working and an integrated approach that highlights the importance of Every Child Matters Agenda. This session is open to 60 students and is been led by Donna Whitehead - Law; Jane Tunmore - Social Work and Margaret Parsons - Early Years Education. This activity is cutting edge and supported by the former Chair of the Centre's Steering Group Baroness Estelle Morris of Yardley. This opportunity has arisen because of shared dialogue across the new Faculty of Education and Society and through the valuable contribution these staff members make to the CCYP & Fs. Please support this event!
The recent scrutiny and evaluation of our Early Years Professional Provision can again demonstrate that the University of Sunderland has once again been given the acknowledgement that it has the status of a green light provider. If you are interested in achieving the status of Early Years Professional please contact claire.jackson@sunderland.ac.uk
Or go to the national website and visit http://www.cwdcouncil.org.uk/eyps/how-to-become-an-eyp
The Centre Appoints a New Head
We are pleased to announce that Joan O'Keefe from the Faculty of Education and Society has been appointed as Head of the Centre for Children Young People and Families.
Joan has worked in Higher Education for 8 years and has experience in working in the FE sector and local government.
The First Seminar Podcast Proves to be a Great Success
Sir Al Ainsley Green successfully launched the Centre for Children, Young People and Families in November 2007 by giving an interesting and thought provoking talk entitled "Children, Young People and Families in Today's Society". For those of you who were unable to attend or wish to view his talk again, it can be found by clicking here. Freda Brown who coordinated the seminar and podcast launch stated:
"the podcast has proved to be a great success. Many of the attendees, over 200, were keen to view the recording"
A Complimentary Centre for Equalities, Diversity and Social Justice is Launched
The Centre for Equalities and Social Justice (CESOJ) comprises members of the Faculty of Education and Society who are engaged in research in these fields, together with associate members from a range of UK and international universities.
CESOJ is a research centre which is committed to educational development and change. As well as contributing to the advancement of knowledge, our commitment is to utilise our research findings:
to inform and influence institutional practice in order to enhance the education of student teachers and to support the professional development of practising teachers and other educational professionals.
For more information please click here.
